Villa Badoer

Villa Badoer is a villa in Fratta 1556-1563 Polesine ( Rovigo, Veneto) by Andrea Palladio for Francesco Badoer of Venice was built as a farm and residence in the country.

Architecture

The axially symmetric complex comprises a main building, several side buildings and green spaces in a walled area. Originally there was a navigable canal in front of the property.

The front of the main building is dominated by a large portico with six slender Ionic columns and tympanum with family crest. The main floor ( piano nobile ) with the portico stands on a high platform, reached by a broad, two paragraphs broken staircase. The exterior is otherwise rather plain. Through the dignity motif of temple front, the building is clearly marked as a noble residence, although it is integrated into the farm ( originally wine storage in the basement, grain storage in the mezzanine ).

On both sides of the main building wings are in the form of a quarter circle -shaped balconies, but not connected to the main building and are slightly preferred over this. The rooms behind were used as utility rooms. With the wings and the landing of the main building the hierarchy is emphasized.

The rooms inside the main building are also arranged symmetrically to the axis of the entire system. The proportions of the rooms in plan and elevation are designed according to principles of harmony in simple integer ratios. The rooms on the main floor are partially furnished with frescoes.

Importance

With this system, essential design principles of the Venetian villas construction are first formulated. In particular, the system is considered successful synthesis of agricultural farm and prestigious mansion. Precursor for the use of the motif of temple front to a secular was the Villa Medici ( Poggio a Caiano ), but Palladio has greatly enlarges the subject and the proportions refined. Thus, the villa is in turn a precursor for the Villa Emo, Villa La Rotonda and countless more. The complex is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996 ( City of Vicenza and the Palladian Villas of the Veneto). It is owned by the province of Rovigo and can be visited.